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CLONES

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The National Gazetteer of Great Britain and Ireland - 1868

In 1868, the parish of Clones contained the following places:

"CLONES, a parish, post, and market town, in the baronies of Dartry, Monaghan, and Clankelly, in county Fermanagh and county Monaghan, province of Ulster, Ireland. It has a station on the Dundalk and Enniskillen railway, and is the terminus of the Ulster line, which connects it with Belfast. The parish extends from the river Fin on the S.W. to an extensive range of hills on the N. and N.E., which it includes, being 12 miles by 9, gradually ascending from the Valley of Lough Erne. The surface is undulating, and in some portions well timbered, and watered by numerous rivulets and small loughs. The soil is generally good, particularly in the vicinity of the town. The bog, which formerly extended over a considerable portion of the parish, is fast disappearing, and being drained and cultivated. That part of the parish which is within the barony of Clankelly contains the villages of Rosslea and Magheraveely; that within Monaghan, Smithborough. The living is a rectory and vicarage in the diocese of Clogher, gross value £1,486, in the patronage of Sir T. B. Lennard, Bart. The church stands in the town and is of modern date, built by aid of a loan from the late Board of First Fruits. It has been recently much enlarged and beautified by the exertions of the Rev. Thomas Hand, the rector, and is now, with its chaste chancel window and handsome organ, worthy of such a parish. There are two chapels of ease, one at Clough and another at Aghadrumsee, the curates of which are paid by the rector of the parish; also meeting-houses for Wesleyans at Clones and Smithsborough; Roman Catholic chapels at Clones, Aghadrumswords, Rosslea, and Magheraveelv, and numerous schools. The town of Clones formerly belonged to the M'Mahons, and is within the Dartry section of the parish. It is situated on the cross roads from Monaghan to Belturbet, and from Enniskillen to Cortshill, 4 miles N.W. of Newbliss. According to the census of 1861 it comprised 418 houses, inhabited by a population of 2,388; of whom 1,311 were returned as Roman Catholics, 937 Established Church, 108 Presbyterians, and 32 Methodists. The town is composed of five streets, and not-withstanding that many of the houses are still thatched, it has a tolerably thriving appearance, but from its position is capable of further improvement. The principal buildings stand in the market-place, which is in the form of a triangle, with a stone cross in the centre, of curious workmanship. It is the chief seat of a constabulary force and, quarter and petty sessions are regularly held in the town, which has a handsome court-house and bridewell. Here are also a bank, dispensary, fever hospital, and workhouse. The principal industry is connected with the manufacture of crochet lace, so successfully introduced in 1850 by Mrs. Hand, and which, though declining in value, still supports numerous families. The market for agricultural produce is large, and there are several extensive corn-mills, also an iron-foundry at Stone Bridge. The Poor-law Union of Clones has in Monaghan and Fermanagh 8 electoral divisions with 18 guardians. Its ancient name was Cluan-Innis ("Island of Retreat") Near the town are the ruins of an abbey, alleged to-have been founded in the 6th century by St. Tierny, the second bishop after St. Patrick. According to tradition he died of the plague and was buried in Cluanois church; the manor still bears his name, and is the property of Sir Thomas Barrett Lennard, Bart. There are also the walls of a chapel, and an enclosed cemetery, with a round tower, and several curious monuments. In the vicinity are some earthworks of supposed antiquity; the principal one is a steep mound surrounded by a parapet and wet moat. There are three market days in the week-Wednesday and Friday for the sale of grain, and Thursday for general purposes. Fairs are held on the last Thursday in every month."

"MAGHERAVEELY, a village in the parish of Clones, in the barony of Clankelly, county Fermanagh, province of Ulster, Ireland, 3 miles E.N.E. of Newtown-Butler. It is situated on the road to Rosslea. Fairs are held on 29th May and 2nd October."

"ROSSLEA, a village in the parish of Clones, barony of Clonkelly, county Fermanagh, province of Ulster, Ireland, 4 miles N.N.E. of Clones. It is situated on the road from Lisnakea to Monaghan, near Carnmore Mountain. The river Fin is here spanned by a bridge. It contains a police station, a court-house, and a Roman Catholic chapel. Petty sessions are regularly held, and there is a flax mill in the village. Lake View is a seat commanding an attractive view. Fairs are held on the 8th day of every month."

[Transcribed from The National Gazetteer of Great Britain and Ireland 1868]
by Colin Hinson ©2018